Swiss government orders smallpox vaccinations

THE Swiss government said today it plans to buy three million doses of smallpox vaccine to protect against bioterrorism and is also looking into obtaining a vaccine against anthrax.

The defence ministry said it had ordered the smallpox vaccine from Swiss company Berna Biotech at a cost of 10 million francs.

"The federal cabinet believes the risk for Switzerland of a direct or indirect attack with biological weapons is low. Nevertheless, it wants to protect Switzerland and its population from the consequences of such an attack as much as possible," said a statement from the Defence Ministry.